Position: Individual Gifts Officer (full-time)
Location: Minnesota, remote (in-state) eligible or hybrid in Minneapolis or Ely
Supervised by: Development Director

We’re looking to hire an Individual Gifts Officer to join Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness and Save the Boundary Waters.

SAVE THE BOUNDARY WATERS OVERVIEW

The Boundary Waters, the largest Wilderness Area east of the Rockies and north of the Everglades, is America’s most-visited Wilderness, uniquely accessible and beloved for recreation. It is the sixth most critical region in the lower 48 to protect for climate resiliency. A major threat looms: proposed copper mining in the headwaters, where pollution would flow downstream into and through the heart of the Wilderness, with cascading effects across the ecosystem.

Save the Boundary Waters, founded and led by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness based in Ely MN, is a national coalition of 400+ businesses, conservation, and hunting & angling organizations, camps and access programs united to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park from the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining proposed in the headwaters of these treasures.

Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness Mission: We unite people to advocate for the protection of wilderness and wild places, especially the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the greater Quetico-Superior Ecosystem.

Our Vision: We envision a future where people understand the value of wild protected lands, and are unified to forever protect the Boundary Waters Wilderness and the greater Quetico-Superior Ecosystem as vital components of a healthy and resilient planet.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: Wilderness and the pursuit of its protection should be made to be welcoming and accessible to all. Protecting Wilderness relies upon public engagement which cannot be expected when people are disenfranchised, unwelcome, hurt or tokenized due to their sexuality, race, age, ability, size, gender identity, gender expression, culture, religion, political affiliation, or anything else. The pursuit of permanent protection for the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining and other threats is no different. Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness and the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in all aspects of the organization as it works to protect this special place for everyone and for generations to come.

INDIVIDUAL GIFTS OFFICER POSITION SUMMARY

The Individual Gifts Officer will cultivate and solicit major gifts from individual donors giving $1,000+ annually to Save the Boundary Waters. You will manage a portfolio of 150 donors at this level to drive increased support, renewals, and upgrades. This is a key role in our mission to raise $3+ million annually to prevent toxic mining near the Boundary Waters.

KEY JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as an integral part of a successful fundraising team alongside the Development Director and other key staff, board members, and contractors
• Manage portfolio of 150 donors giving $1,000+ annually through regular cultivation, solicitations, and stewardship
• Upgrade and renew donors within portfolio through tailored engagement strategies
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects to assign to portfolio
• Plan and execute donor engagement events
• Identify and solicit planned gift commitments such as bequests
• Assist with annual gala by securing lead gifts, prospect research, and cultivating donors
• Support major donor communications during periods of consequential, fast-moving updates on the effort to protect the Boundary Waters (example: a last minute hearing in Washington, D.C.)
• Provide exemplary donor stewardship through thoughtful communications and recognition
• Effectively track all activities and donor engagement strategies within CRM database and provide guidance to portfolio managers to ensure accurate, up-to-date records in CRM
• Work closely with campaign staff on integrated major donor strategies
• Other duties as assigned

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of frontline fundraising experience securing gifts or $5,000 or more, or 5+ years of fundraising experience with increasing responsibility, including cultivating and soliciting donors
• Demonstrated experience building, managing, and nurturing strong relationships with donors, foundations, and businesses
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time management abilities
• Attention to detail, excellent organizational abilities, and ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks
• Persistence in donor outreach, meeting new people, and making cold calls
• Proficiency in database management, preference for experience with EveryAction, Microsoft Office and Google Suite. Other computer skills as required
• Commitment to DEI principles in carrying out the organization's mission
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• The Individual Gifts Officer is a full-time, salaried position – $65,000 - $75,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
• Compensation includes competitive wage and benefits package with coverage and a monthly stipend for health, dental, and vision insurance; a 403b retirement plan with matching; 9 paid flexible holidays; phone, travel and expense reimbursement; professional development; 18 “Personal Time Off” (PTO) paid days per year, and trip reimbursement for Wilderness trip

Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness and Save the Boundary Waters are committed to equal opportunity in employment.